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Are you interested in making a difference in the honors community? One way to have an impact is to serve on the NCHC Board of Directors as a member at large, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.

Serving on the Board can be a challenging and fulfilling experience that provides individuals opportunities to develop personal leadership skills and expertise. However, it does require a significant commitment of time, energy, and resources. As you consider whether to take on this challenge, consider the following questions from Board Source.

What type of experience is most fulfilling for you?

Board service is a form of volunteerism that can have a huge impact on the organization, but if you think that your sense of personal fulfillment requires a more hands-on volunteer opportunity, you might want to inquire about direct-service volunteering opportunities in the organization instead of board service.

How much time are you willing to put into board work?

Board members are legally required to fulfill their fiduciary duties, which will require you to devote a considerable amount of time to the organization. The amount of time varies greatly by organization, but simply planning to attend the board meetings is not sufficient. Board members must be willing to regularly review financial statements and meeting materials, and many board members will need to prepare for and attend committee meetings in addition to board meetings.

Are you willing to collaborate with others on a regular basis or would you prefer to work alone?

Boards are teams of committed and engaged individuals who work together to govern the organization. If you prefer to work alone, then board service may not be the right way for you to work with the organization. Consider providing pro bono professional services or direct-service volunteering as alternatives to board service.

Do you have the willingness and the ability to assist a nonprofit organization with fundraising?

One of the primary responsibilities of the board is to ensure that the organization has adequate financial resources to carry out its mission.The amount of involvement in fundraising varies greatly by organization, but prior to serving on a board, make sure that you will be comfortable making a personal contribution and asking others to contribute to the organization.